The Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has urged member states of the African Union to enhance their commitment to providing quality and access to education for their people.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 6th Mid-Year Coordinating Meeting of the AU Regional Ministers on July 18, she highlighted Ghana’s significant achievements in the education sector referencing the government’s free Senior High School (SHS) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The meeting is on the theme: “Educate an African fit for the 21st century:Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, relevant learning in Africa.”
Fifty-Five African Union member states are in the country for the 4-day event scheduled to host the 45th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council as well.
The two engagements, which are scheduled to run concurrently, will take into account the deepening of bilateral relations and fostering the exchange of innovative ideas that will enhance better governance in all the respective states.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further established the need for a renewed commitment to building a future where every African has access to education to meet the demands of their time.
“I would like to emphasize the need to harness our collective strengths in utilising opportunities and finding solutions to the challenges presented to our continent, including in the education sector as per our commitment to this year’s theme.
We owe a duty to ourselves in this present age, and as an obligation to future generations, to achieve this.
In the words of the indefatigable Pan-African icon, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, “We all want a united Africa, united not only in our concept of what unity connotes, but united in our common desire to move forward together in dealing with all the problems that can best be solved only on a continental basis”.
I wish to urge all delegations gathered here to reflect on our collective aspirations within our continent at large. Let us, on this occasion, remain resolute and committed to the shared vision of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, our fifty-year development plan, in all its aspects, with determination, unity and dignity as Africans, and make this Mid-Year Meeting a success,” she said.
AU Chair, Moussa Faki in his statement encouraged all delegates present to be involved in deliberations to abridge the current low connectivity level of education in the sub- region.
Participants are also expected to create right incentives for the private sector to participate in the initiatives fully.
